Service & Ethics

I aim to keep my view of the world (in every sense, including philosophical, religious, and scientific) current and updated by striving towards the following ideals:

 

The 7 Scientific Virtues by Andrew Gelman

1. Transparency
   • Clear and unambiguous definitions of concepts
   • Open planning and following agreed protocols
   • Full communication of reasoning, procedures, spelling out of (potentially
     unverifiable) assumptions and potential limitations

2. Consensus

   • Accounting for relevant knowledge and existing related work

   • Following generally accepted rules where possible and reasonable

   • Provision of rationales for consensus and unification

3. Impartiality

   • Thorough consideration of relevant and potentially competing theories and
     points of view

   • Thorough consideration and if possible removal of potential biases: factors that may jeopardize consensus and the intended interpretation of results

   • Openness to criticism and change

4. Correspondence to observable reality

   • Clear connection of concepts and models to observables

   • Clear conditions for reproduction, testing and falsification

5. Awareness of Multiple Perspectives

6. Awareness of context dependence

   • Recognition of dependence on specific contexts and aims

   • Honest acknowledgement of the researcher’s position, goals, experiences and subjective point of view

7. Investigation of stability

   • Consequences of alternative decisions and assumptions that could have been made

   • Variability and reproducibility of conclusions on new data

 

While Gelman's writings do not explicitly address this (that I know of), I additionally believe that the awareness of multiple perspectives point necessitates a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of underserved communities, including (but not limited to) racial minorities and people with economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

Further, while I am not affiliated with any religious organization, I aim to adhere to the following ethical principles in both my research, and generally in life:

 

The Principle of Maximum Efficiency by Jigoro Kano

One should typically seek the action which yields the greatest impact for the minimum amount of effort required.

 

The Way of Strategy by Miyamoto Musashi

1. Do not think dishonestly
2. The Way is in training
3. Become acquainted with every art
4. Know the ways of all professions
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters
6. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding in everything
7. Perceive those things which cannot be seen
8. Pay attention even to trifles
9. Do nothing which is of no use

 

The Seven Tenets of the Satanic Temple

1. One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
2. The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
3. One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
4. The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.
5. Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs. (emphasis mine)
6. People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused
7. Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.

 

Lessons from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

1. Embrace simplicity
2. Desire little
3. Do not fear change (this third line is paraphrased by me and therefore subject to my interpretation)